four days ago, we offered a serious proposal based on testimony of president clinton's former chief of staff. since then, there has been no counteroffer from the white house. instead, reports indicate that the president has adopted a deliberate strategy to push our economy right to the edge of the fiscal cliff. instead of reforming the tax code and cutting spending, the president wants to raise tax rates. even if the president got the tax rate hike he wanted, understand we will continue to see $1 trillion deficits for as far as the eye can see. washington has got a spending problem, not a revenue problem. if the president does not agree with our proposal, we believe he has got an obligation to families and small businesses to offer a plan of his own, a plan that can pass both chambers of the congress. we are ready and eager to talk to the president about such a plan. >> you spoke with the president this week. how do you characterize that call? also, we understand that he is making clear that it will have to be increasing rates for the wealthy or no deal. are you willing to give a littl